It’s that time of year again. Christmas is coming, and you’re looking for a great gift for the tech lover in your life. Here are some of our picks, whether you’re looking for something practical or something a bit zanier.
Practical:
- Juggling gloves and phones are always a pain in the middle of winter. Try to tap your phone and nothing happens, take your gloves off and freeze your fingers. Solve this issue for your friends and family with touchscreen-friendly gloves (on Amazon starting at $30).
- The Nomad Lightning Cable is great for the iPhone or iPad user. Unlike the standard cable that comes in the box with the device, the Nomad comes with a 5-year warranty and won’t split or fray down the sides with heavy use. Besides, having something made of Kevlar is cool. Purchase on the Nomad site for $39.95.
- Tom's Guide and PC Mag report that the best mouse for general use in 2021 is the Logitech MX Master 3. This mouse is wireless and can connect to up to 3 devices at once. $99.99 on Logitech or Amazon
- For the e-book lover, the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition now supports wireless charging and has a 32GB storage capacity. For anyone who pairs their reading with pool floaties or a bubble bath, it’s waterproof in shallow water for up to an hour. $159ish on Amazon
Gaming:
- The Nintendo Switch is one of the most versatile gaming systems on the market. It can be used as a handheld device or connected to a TV, depending on the user’s mood, and it supports a subscription service with online games. Nintendo Switch Online has games from the SNES and N64 available for download. Currently, the Switch ranges from $200 to $350, depending on the model.
- A cheaper alternative to the Switch is to get a phone-compatible controller. The Backbone One is compatible with iPhone and Android, and it works by connecting controls to the phone and then using the phone as the gaming device. This goes for $99.99 on the Backbone website.
Out on a Limb:
- For the scientist or chef, try a molecular gastronomy kit. It’s an easy way for someone to learn some wacky food science, and it will run you $49 (or $65 with a cookbook). Mango caviar and chocolate spaghetti are incoming.
- UV sanitizers use UV-C light to kill viruses and bacteria on the surface of your device. Some also support wireless charging for newer phones and come in a variety of sizes. The Phone Soap 3 does not wirelessly charge, but there is a space for a charging cord to enter the box, and it comes in a variety of colors. At the time of this writing, it starts at $79.43 on Amazon but has a 50% off coupon. Pro-tip though: don’t sanitize your hands with this.
- Apparently, smart yoga mats are somewhat up-and-coming. The two major options right now are the Yogifi Smart Yoga Mat and the Yoga SmartMat, and they’re great for anyone still social-distancing from yoga class. The mat gives feedback and corrects positioning. Although the SmartMat is still preorder only, you can get a steep discount as an “early adopter.” The YogiFi is $399, not including any discounts that may pop up when you go to the website.
